Just a child, Hannah led Samuel to Eli, the priest at Shiloh.
This was not for a mere visit, but he was to be left there to become a
Nazirite. Someone, this
child, or rather the hope of having this child was what Hannah wanted with all of heart, yet she
was now leaving him there at the temple. How difficult this must have been, how troubling it
seems, even today.

Hear the Good News, God does not ask us for more than we can do, nor do we offer more to God than
we can do. Deals are made, promises introduced, but closing the deal and living up to the promise
and keeping it, these are the real tasks at hand, aren't they? A Bermuda fisherman floating and
bobbing in the ocean for 20 hours is picked up by a US military ship. If he spends much longer
floating on debris, his is done for, but he is spotted and saved. What must his thoughts have
been? What promises were made? The ship, as it turns out, was a medical ship. Aboard the USS
Comfort, he is the lone person needing medical attention, on a ship with 12 operating rooms and
the capability of treating 1000 patients a day. Hannah pleads with God for a child. She bears a
son. As as she promised offers Him to God, giving back with great joy, all that God has given to
her. Commitment is why. Understanding is why. A covenant and a promise is why Samuel is brought
to the Temple. How are you with commitment? We must search our hearts and ask ourselves if we
are living up to the commitments we have made. How about our faith, our promise from Baptism
and/or Confirmation to be God's child?

Prayer:

Gracious Father in heaven, stir within me and let me be aware of Your presence
as I was at that moment when I committed myself to You. I find some times to be tougher than
others, please help and strengthen my faith and commitment I have to You. Help me to get back
of track when I fall off. I want to be Yours and You to be mine. Thank You for all You have
done and all You will continue to do, for I ask this through Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.